2016 Chevy Camaro drops 200 pounds

The 2016 Chevy Camaro will make its public debut May 16 at Detroit's Belle Isle.

The 2016 Chevy Camaro will weigh in at 200 pounds lighter than the fifth-generation model, which will put curb weight for the SS versions at about 3,700 pounds and LS and LT models at about 3,500 pounds.

The Camaro team was challenged to improve handling, acceleration and fuel economy for the 2016 car. That’s a tall order, unless you consider the easiest solution (at least theoretically): reducing mass.

“We kept the cornering confidence and control that make the Gen 5 Camaro 1LE so fun to drive, and added a greater sense of agility,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “The new Camaro brakes harder, flicks into corners more quickly, and drives out of the corner faster. We expect it will set the benchmark in the segment and give many sports cars a challenge.”

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The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro features an aluminum beam to support the instrument panel, which is 9.7 lbs. (4.4 kg) lighter than the previous steel beam. Changes like this help reduce total curb weight for the new Camaro by more than 200 pounds.

The new vehicle architecture -- the so-called GM Alpha platform shared with the rear-wheel drive Cadillac ATS and CTS -- is responsible for most of the weight loss, but dozens of smaller changes contributed. The beam that supports the instrument panel is now made from aluminum, saving about 10 pounds. The front and rear suspensions assemblies are also aluminum, while some links feature a new design with a composite material that’s even lighter. The suspension is 21 percent lighter compared to the current steel setups.

Those weights, in case you were interested, now line up almost exactly with the Ford Mustang V6 and V8 weights. And with the Ford ponycar now including an independent rear suspension, these two could have the closest battles yet for track dominance.

The big Camaro reveal is on Saturday, May 16 at a special event at Belle Isle in Detroit. Watch it live at thecamarosix.com.